Fireproof elevator door



July 31, 1928; 1,678,652

P. R. SA'URER FIREPROOF ELEVATOR DOOR Filed June 50, 1926 2%! w t/m/zuh INVENTOR Patented July 31, 1928. I

UNlTED STATES PATENT; OFFICE.

PAUL R. SA'URER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE PEELLE COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATIONOF NEW YORK.

FIREPROOF ELEVATOR DOOR.

Application filed June 30,

My invention relates tofireproof elevator doors, and more particularly to the top bar structure of a door section of' a type having lower section ordinarily carries fittings not an angle metal frame and a metal panel.

5 Elevator doors of the type to whlch my invention relates include door sections capable of movement upon vertical guides pos1- tioned upon opposite sides of a door opening within an elevator shaft. Such doors ordi- J narily comprise two sections simultaneously movable in opposite directions, although single section doors are sometimes used. The door of the invention, being particularly adapted for use with two-section doors, will 5 be described in connection with a door of such construction.

Fireproof doors of the type to which my invention relates, when subjected to high temperatures or a sudden cooling'after being subjected to such temperatures, not only expand or contract to a considerable extent, but when contracting, it has been found that the top bar of the upper section has a tendency to warp to an extent to leavea gap between this top bar and the wall of the elevator shaft adjacent the lintel of a door opening of sufficient width to form a passage for. flame and smoke in sufficient volume to destroy the fireproof properties of the door 0 to an extent to make such doors unsatisfac tory as a means of reducing fire hazard.

To overcome this difficulty, fire underwriters have heretofore required that means he provided whereby when the door is in the 5 closed position the top bar of the upper section be held, by means secured adjacent the lintel of the door, in a manner to preventthe warping of the door inwardly of the shaft upon the cooling of the metal of thetop bar 0 following its subjection to high tempera tures. In some instances the holding of the top bar in a manner to prevent distortion or warping has been by means of interlocking channel bars. one of which is secured to the .5 wall of the shaft above the lintel, and the other of which is carried by, andforms a part of, the top bar structure. Continuous channel bars have-been'found unnecessary and only narrow sections of such channel bars so or hooks have been extensively used with like effect.

Ordinarily'the top bars of the upper sections of counterbalanced, semi-automatic, or

full automatic doors have securedthereto 1926. Serial No. 119,637. 7

metal bars, the weight of which is utilized for balancing or overbalancing this section with relation to the lower section, which included in the upper section adding materially to their weight.

- I have discovered that the distortion or warping of the top bar of the upper section is due in large measure to the presence of such counterbalancing or overbalancing bars,

since the mass of the metal in such bars is so much greater than that in'the angle metal frame of the door section that such'bars do not shrink or contract as rapidly as the angle metal'top bar of the door section, and

will thus offer resistance to the shrinkage of said top bar in a line closely adjacent the outer edge of the horizontal angle of the bar while not interfering with such shrinkage along the plane of the vertical flange 'there of. As a result of this condition, the said vertical flange will shrink freely and thus cause the bar in its entirety to bend inwardly,'or away from the wall, of the shaft, the extent of such movement at the middle of a ten or twelve foot door sometimes being as great as three inches.

Withthe above conditions in mind, I have provided a construction of door wherein warping or distortion of the top bar of the upper door section may be prevented with out resorting to interlocking means upon the elevator shaft adjacent the lintel of the door opening and carried by the door section, 'WhllG still permitting the, use of balancing or other weights and reinforcements secure to th s top bar structure.

To secure the desired results, I embodyin the top bar structure a metallic angle bar, one of the flanges of which is permanently secured to the horizontal flange 'of the top bar proper of the door section, and the other flange or'flanges' ofwhiohiprojectifrom this horizontal flange, thedimensions of this relnforcing angle'bar being substantially the same as those ofgthe angle metal of the top bar proper. In this-manner, I not only secure the desired rigidity in the top bar structure as a whole toresist' distortion of the top bar during the contraction of the metal thereof, but do so by means of a reinforcing part of the bar having a rate of expansion and contraction substantially the same as that of the expansion and contraction of said top Ill bar proper, thus avoiding any resistance to the free expansion and contraction of the metal of the top bar.

The construction of the top bar throughout, is suchas to afford large surface areas in both the frame angle bar proper and the reinforcing angle bar, for the radiation of heat, so that water directed against the top bar when it is at a high temperature will have a more or less uniform cooling effect upon both the bar proper and the reinforcing angle.

My invention is designed for use with doors having a corrugated, or a sheet metal panel, sinceit is not necessary with metal sheathed, wooden panel doors, in which construction the bars of the angle metal frame are so protected to prevent the sudden cooling of the top bar thereof by thedirection of a stream of water against same.

The invention consists 1; rimarily in a tireproof elevator door, embodying therein a door section having a metal panel in an angle metal frame, and means for preventing the top of the door from moving away from adjacent the lintel of a door opening in the event of a sudden lowering of the temperature of the door following its subjection to a high temperature, including therein an angle metal reinforcing bar, one flange of which is connected with the horizontal flange of the angle metal of the top bar of the frame to form a unitary top bar structure, and another flange of which extends at rightangles to the saidflange of the angle of the top bar of the frame; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.-

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a door section embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section throu h the top bar structure of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing another form of the invention; and

Fig. 4 isa view similar to Fig. 2 showing still another form of the invention.

. Like letters refer to like out the several views. i

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the angle metal forming the top bar proper of the door section a is of the usual construction, dimensions and weight, the latter two of which may vary with doors of different sizes. A metal plate panel riveted, bolted or 'otherwise;secured to the vertical flange a of ,the angle a, the thickness of such plate andits relation to the door being such. as to expose the en.- tire under face of. the horizontal flange a? of the angle a so that in the event of the subjection of the door to extremely high described, and

parts throughtionother than the angle c,

temperatures, followed by a rapid. lowering of the temperatures as by the direction of a stream against the door from the right, Figs. 2, 3 and 4, heat will be rapidly conducted from both flanges a and a causing a rapid cooling throughout the angle a, accompanied by a considerable contraction or shrinkage of the material of this angle. The construction of the door section in other respects is such as to compensate for the expansion of theangle a when it is subjected to the higher temperatures, so as to avoid deformation of the 'door from such expansion. 5 i

As heretoforestated, the construction of the top bars of such doors has been such that the flange a with the sudden lowering of its temperature, would contract rapidly, while the portion of the flange a towards its free edge would contract much more slowly reason of the restraint thereon from a counterbalancing weight in the form of a bar secured thereto and extending fromside to side of the door, which bar contained a bulk of metal sufliciently great to cause a slow cooling of this bar as compared with the cooling of the flange a. These conditions can arise only when the. temperature of the metal of the angle (Land the weight bar is about 1500 or 1600 F thus causing these parts to be malleable to an extent to cause the buckling of the flange a to force the flange a and also theweight bar structure away from the wall of the shaft, the maxi mum amount of such movement being approximately at the vertical. center line of the door opening,

To prevent this condition, I incorporate in the bar structure a reinforcing ang e bar 0, one flange c of which extends substan tially at right angles to the plane of the flange a and the other flange c of which is cured to the flange a of the angled, prefer ably in intimate contact:therewith so as to permit the rapid conduction of heat from both flanges a and c in the event of a sud- 'manner to. provide. a lapping of the door section beyond: the door opening'as required by various regulations and ordinances, and permits 1a reduction n the weight of material entering into the part-sot the door sec V p while increasingthe weight-of the sect-ion as a whole.

If the character: of the door requircs the addition of weights .toithe door section carry-ing theangle c, I firmly secure a plurality of spaced, short, heavybars d to the top bar structure of the door, the spacing of such bars avoiding continuity of the mass of such bars and permitting movement of the s ev- ,6 respectively, and the the vertical flange thereof at In the embodimentof the invention shown the angle metal frame is lIlCllCfllZQtl in Fig. 3, I at e, the opposite flanges thereof at e and panel is shown at f.

Instead of using an L-angle bar as heretofore described, in this form of the invention I use a Z-angle bar 9, one flange g of which has the same relation to the flange e of the frame angle as the flange c has to the/flange a in the form of the invention shown in Figs. land 2. The flange g of the angle 9 so that the is connected with the flange e angleloar g is so united with the frame angle 6 as to form a part of a unitary top bar structure of the door section. The flange g is spaced away from, and projects across, the edge of the flange e with the flange e. I

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the frame angle 'is shown at h, h and the hori zontal flange thereof at h With this construction, I use an L-angle i as a reinforcing member, one flange z'"of which extends parallel with the flange h and the other flange i of which is connected with the horizontal flange 71. tion the panel plate is indicated at In the forms of the invention-shown in Figs. 3 and 4, no weights corresponding with the weight (Z are shown, although such weights may be used if necessary. 7

Referring more particularly to Figs. land 2 of the drawings, if the parts be brought to a temperature approximating a white heat, or even a lower temperature, the angles a and a, being of substantially the same dimensions and being engageable one with the other, will expand in unison, the slower heating of the weight bars (1 having no effect in preventing such. expansion. By making these weight bars in sections and separating one from the other, expansion in each bar is reduced and the eflect of the expansion so localized as to avoid any distortion of the top bar structure during expansion.

Assuming that a stream of cold water is directed against the top bar structure, particularly from the right, or the shaft side, the effect will be the sudden simultaneous cooling of both angles a and 0, and consequently the simultaneous contraction of both these angles to substantially the same extent and throughout both flanges of each. The result is that there is no such buckling of the top bar structure as will materially increase the fire hazard as compared with a perfect door. While the flanges a and 0 may have the tendency to contract more rap- Ysogreat and extends parallel In this form of the inven-,

the amount of idly than the joinedflanges a? and 0 the difference in the rate of contraction is not but what the strength of the flanges a and c willofler sufliciently great resistance to the'buckling tendency of the flanges a" and c. In fact, the increased mass of the material of the top bar structure be. tween the flanges a and '0 will tend to retard contraction and shrinkage along this line and thus assist the flanges a and in resisting deformation of the top bar structure and give a tendency of thebar to buckle toward the shaft ratherthan away from it. The'weight bars (2 may be in such number and of such length as to be no appreciable factor in retarding either expansion or contraction of any portion of the top bar structure.

The form of the invention shownin Figs.

,1 and 2 is suitable for medium width doors.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 3 is especially adapted for use with; wider doors than those shown in the forms of the inventionshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. In this form of the invention, that shown in Fig. 3, the flange g isso positioned as to be cooled inore'readily than either of the flanges and g, and will thus develop stresses counter to those developed in theflanges e and g and thusbe effective in resisting the distortion of the latterflanges.

' The formof the invention shownin Fig.

2 is preferable in most cases to that shown in Fig. 3, because less difliculties are en- 7 countered in manufacturingitand standard angle metals may be used'in its construction. In the form of the invention shown, n Fig. 4, the condition is as shown in Fig. 3,

except for the absence of the flange g. The

effect of this construction will be substan tially that of Fig. 3, onlyfthere is no such increased bulk of material at the meeting point of the flanges h and h as is afforded by the use of the flange g. In other respects the resistance to the distortion of the top bar of the door construction shown in Fig. 4 is much the same as that shown in the construction of Fig. 3.

In all of the constructions shown, in the event of the high heating and sudden cooling of the-door, the top bar structure will remain in close proximity to the wall of the elevator shaft without the assistance of binders of any kind, thus avoiding the necessity for special construction of door panels and of lintels necessary with the use of such binders. a

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction and dimensions of parts shown in the drawings,it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim, as,new andndesire, to have pr otected by Letters Patent, is

1. A fireproof elevator door, embodying therein a door section havingv a nietal panel 111 an angle, metal frame, andmeans for preyentmg the topof the door. from moving awayr"from,adjacent the lintel ofa door openingin the eventof a sudden lowering of the teniperature of the door following its subjection to a high temperature, including therein an angle, metalreinforcing bar, one

' flange of which is connectedwiththe, horizontal flange of the angle metal of the top barof the, frameto form a unitary top bar structure, and another flange of which eX- tends at right angles to the said flange ofthe angle of'the. top bar of the, frame;

"2 A fireproof elevator door, embodying therein a door section having a metal panel in an anglemetal frame, and means for preventing the top of the door from moving away" from adjacent the lintel ofa door opening in the} event of a sudden lowering ofv the temperature of the door following its subjection to a high temperature,including therein an anglej netal reinforcing bar, one flange of which is connected with the hon zoiital flange of the angle metalof'the top barofthe frame to form aunitary top bar structure, and another flange of [which extends at right angles to thesaid flange of the anew tion to a hightemperature, including therein an angle inetalreinforcing bar, one flange of a which is coniiectediwiththe horizontal flange of the angle metal of the top bar of the frame to for m" a unitary 1 top bar structure, and

another flange of which eg'zteiids at right angles to the saidflange of the, angle of the top barof the frame, and a plurality of weights supported from ,said reinforcing bar andspace'd"apart in relation to each other, whereby theupresence of these weights will have no material distorting effect upon the top-bar during the expansion or contraction of said top bar structure oft-he door.

L A fireproof elevator door, embodying therein a door section having a metal panel I in, an angle metal frame, means for preventing the top ofthe door from,moving away from adjacent the lintel of a door opening in the event of a sudden lowering of 'the temperature of the door following its subjeotion to a high@temperature, including therein an angle cmetallreinforcing bar, one

'flangeof which is connected with the horizon'tal flange of the angle metal of the top barof the frame to; form a unitary top bar structure, and another'flange of which extends at right anglesgto'the said flange of the angle of the top bar of the frame in substantial alinement with "the vertical flange of'the top barof 'the frame, whereby said projectingrflange will be included, in that part of the: door. which laps the lintel of the door opening, and a plurality 'of weights supported from said reinforcing bar and spaced v apart in relation to each other, whereby the presence of these weights will: have no material distorting effect upon the top b'anduringthe expansion or contraction of said top bar structure of the door.

In witnesswhereof Lhavehereunto affixed my signature thiS 28th day ofJune, 1926.

' PAULR-SAURER. 

